African quailfinch

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African quailfinch
African quailfinch (36874831052).jpg
O. a. fuscocrissa, male, at Suikerbosrand, South Africa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Ortygospiza
Species:
Subspecies:
O. a. fuscocrissa
Trinomial name
Ortygospiza atricollis fuscocrissa
(Heuglin, 1863)

The African quailfinch, spectacled quailfinch, or white-chinned quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis fuscocrissa), is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern and southern Africa. Some taxonomists consider it to be conspecific with the black-faced quailfinch and the black-chinned quailfinch, others consider all three species to be conspecific.

Contents

Description

The African quailfinch is 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length and weighs 9-14 grams (0.3-0.5 ounces). It is small and compact with dark grey underparts, barred breasts and flanks, and an orange-buff central belly. The feathers around its eye and on its chin are white. Breeding males have a red bill, while the bills of females and non-breeding males have a brown upper mandible and a red lower mandible. The female is paler than the male and has less distinctive barring. [1]

Voice

It calls a tinny "chink-chink" when in flight. [1]

Distribution and ecology

The African quailfinch is found in East and southern Africa. [2] It inhabits grassland and weedy areas, especially near water. It eats seeds, filamentous algae, insects, and spiders. [1] [2]

Geographical variation

When considered a full species, the following geographical variation has been accepted: [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete Photographic Field Guide Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
  2. 1 2 3 "African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.